The Diet-Climate Connection

The Diet-Climate Connection

How the foods we eat affect the planet we inhabit

Sure, saving energy is important, but other aspects of our lifestyles also have a considerable impact on climate change. The food choices we make – what we eat, where our food is grown, and how it is grown – have a huge impact on the planet. You can help to reduce global warming by making more sustainable food choices. Check out the links below, and learn what you can do.

The Diet-Climate Connection

The Climate Friendly Food Guide is a great resource about climate-friendly eating choices, with information about healthy eating, ways to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet, recipes, tips on shopping and eating out, and much more.

Eat Less Meat & Dairy

You don’t have to be a vegetarian to have meat-free or dairy-free meals – just substituting a meal with beans or lentils 1-2 days each week can make a big difference on your global warming impact. Or you can reduce your impact by choosing more fish and chicken over meat/dairy, as the former have a lower carbon footprint.

Because locally grown foods are transported shorter distances to your table, they use less fossil fuel and therefore have a lower impact on global warming. Moreover, since transportation takes time, local foods are usually fresher. And finally, buying locally grown foods supports Massachusetts farmers.

Growing some fruits and vegetables in your own back yard is easy and fun, and a great way to enjoy being outdoors. You don’t need much space, and some things can even be grown in pots on your deck or patio. Need some tips on how to start? Take a class with the Needham Community Farm. Or just dig a small plot in a sunny location and start planting!

Some food waste is inevitable, but you can keep this out of the waste stream with a home compost bin. It’s easy – learn how with some basic home composting information. Or, hire a home composting service.